News

June, 17

Drake, Bieber win MuchMusic gongs

Drake made a surprise appearance at Canada's MuchMusic Video Awards, where Avril Lavigne and Justin Bieber also took home prizes.

The Take Care rapper, whose real name is Aubrey Graham, thanked his home-grown fans as he unexpectedly dropped in to accept his trophies for director of the year and hip hop video of the year for his single, Started From The Bottom.

"Obviously I want to thank the city of Toronto first and foremost. It's great to be home," he said in his speech, reported Canada's National Post.

Avril and her Nickelback fiance Chad Kroeger enjoyed the spotlight as they walked the red carpet in matching black outfits, although the punk princess - who took home the gong for international video of the year by a Canadian for her single Here's To Never Growing Up - also wore a black leather crown with metal spikes.

"My dad's here today. So of course, I want to say thank you to my dad for supporting me throughout the years. And of course, all the fans," she said on stage.

Canadian rapper Classified (aka Luke Boyd) and rockers Marianas Trench were the other big winners of the night, while Justin Bieber was absent despite being voted favourite artist.

Korean star Psy, who also hosted the event, opened the ceremony with his smash hit Gangnam Style (which won viral video of the year) and closed with his new single Gentleman. He kept audiences entertained with his parody of Beyonce's Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It).

Taylor Swift - in a white-and-black minidress from Canadian designer Vawk - was voted the fans' favourite international artist.

Ed Sheeran, Demi Lovato (who won international video of the year for her track Heart Attack), and Avril also performed at the star-studded bash in Toronto.